A Texas standard lease agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the terms under which a landlord rents out a property to a tenant, usually in exchange for monthly rent payments. These agreements commonly have a term of one year.
The agreement typically outlines the lease terms, property description, rental price, late rent penalties, and the specified security deposit amount.
Considerations on Lease Length
- The maximum duration for an oral standard residential lease is one year. Any tenancy that extends for one year or longer is required to have a written lease agreement (Section 26.01 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code).
Security Deposit
- Maximum Amount ($): No state-imposed limit
- Returning to Tenant: Within 30 days (§ 92.103).
Rent Grace Period
There is a legally mandated tw0-day grace period for rent payments (§ 92.019(a)).
Landlord Resources
When entering into a residential lease in Texas, there are specific requirements that both landlords and tenants must adhere to:
- Landlord-Tenant Laws – § 8-92 (Residential Tenancies).
- Handbook – Tenants’ Rights Guide (PDF).
